"Cheapest" Reference System

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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited March 2005
    Nice rigs, keep em' coming guys.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2005
    There's nothing sexier than a pretty woman who can belch really loud.

    EDITED 'cause I'm a dickhead.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2005
    Man, that does sound bad after re-reading it.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited March 2005
    Ok here go's


    parasound pre ph/p 850 $127.00 (before the tube pre i have)
    parasound amp 1200II $425.00
    Tosh 3960 cd $60.00
    Fisher tuner $8.00
    polk sda1's $350.00

    Total $970

    Not includeing cables, signal speaker 73.00ish , interconnects about 40 total used...
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited March 2005
    Let's see here...I got what now appears to be a couple of bargains in my current sytem, so I'm gonna use the prices I paid. :)

    SDA-1C Studio's-> $300 (used)
    Audio Alchemy w/ CIA power supply-> $110 (used)
    NEC CDR-602 CD-ROM-> $30 (used)
    Parasound HCA-1500-> $400 (used)
    Cables-> $160

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited March 2005
    I'm thinking Russ had it right going with the headphone route.

    Here's my go at it:

    Sennheiser HD-650 (used) ~$200
    Upgraded headphone cable ~$150
    Corda HA-2 headphone amp (used) ~$450
    Signal Cable Analog 2 $50
    CDP your pick up to $150
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited March 2005
    Man, people are quoting some low $$$ for SDA's... Used market opens up so much variability, so does stupid good deals..

    Wilson X2 -$50
    Mark Levinson Mono block Amps $25
    F1's and George's whole system while they are attacking Sid -$0

    For $75, I got a decent setup... :D
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited March 2005
    Gonna take more than George and F1 to get me... ;)

    If I found a Wilson X2 for $50 dollars...

    Id buy them, go back the next day...beat up the owners for being idiots, then list them on ebay for...lke...50-60,000 dollar BIN...

    Since their 125,000 list...wouldnt take long at all to sell..
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
    Id buy them, go back the next day...beat up the owners for being idiots, then list them on ebay for...lke...50-60,000 dollar BIN...

    Since their 125,000 list...wouldnt take long at all to sell..

    Yeah, because someone with 60K sitting around just to buy speakers with is going to be on E-bay... Right... They ought to be out enjoying one of their Ferrari's or taking their trophy wife (ore husband) for a test drive and not on E-bay...

    It was just a point that some people weren't using typical real world prices, but rather "best ever" pricing. If we do that, how about some LSi7's new for $150? :rolleyes:
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by Danny Tse
    My current system, I suppose, can be a reference....:D

    Cambridge Audio A500 stereo integrated amp ($250.00)
    Energy Conneisseur C-3 bookshelf speakers (300.00/pair)
    Sony DVP-NS500V SACD/CD/DVD player ($175.00)
    PS Audio 2M Prelude speaker cables ($57.00)
    Standesign BB-75 24 inch metal speaker stands (79.00)
    Vidrapods underneath Sony SACD/DVD player ($32.00)

    All brand-new from authorized dealers. Under $900.00*

    * Can add TEAC Tripath power amp for another $100.00

    Edit: Lots of mention of Cambridge Audio in this thread.

    The Sony DVP-NS500V is being considered to be replaced. I suppose I can replace it with my Sony SCD-CE595, but I am thinking of selling that player*. Most likely go with Sony's DVP-NS755V DVD/SACD/CD player for about $120.00.

    So, the total for my "cheap reference system" should drop by $50.00 or so.

    * Selling due to preference for a single-disc player and remote, which doesn't allow for direct access track selection or powering up/down. Otherwise, the 595 is an amazing player.
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited April 2005
    hello i just joined club polk i have owned the monitor 4. 5 jr +and monitor 10 series 2 polks. i used to pair these speakers with harmon kardon electronics i am now a big fan of odyssey audio based on the high end german designs of mr rolf gemien of symphonic line in germany. odyssey is licenced by symphonic line to build power amplifiers and pre amplifiers in the united states using rolf gemiens designs how about a system based on a used odyssey stratos amp(150 wpc) under $1.000 us or a new odyssey khartago amp(110 wpc)$775.00 us with a used odyssey tempest preamp under $1.000 us paired with a ah! njoe tjoeb cdp with a tube output stage $600+to $1200 depending on options and maybe a pair of polk sda 1 a reference loudspeakers has anyone had good results pairing polks with odyssey gear? i would think there would be good synergy between them.
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited April 2005
    I don't have a clue, but I would love to hereby dub you.........WALDO.


    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited April 2005
    i cant speak from experience, but if i use logic

    Stratos = GOOD

    SDA-1 = GOOD

    Combo = gotta be GOOD


    Never had the chance to here Odyssey gear, but i've heard nothing but good things, are supposed to be phenomenal performers, especially at their price point. Cant be far off since you rarely if ever find them used.


    PS, i'm a "third" too :cool:
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited April 2005
    P.S. 2 posts, and you allready got a nickname, you should be flaterred :D
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited April 2005
    heres a clue! just dont call me late for dinner
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • setzer808
    setzer808 Posts: 173
    edited April 2005
    "looks at 2ch portion of his HT....lets see"

    Speakers: RT55i's ($250)
    Subwoofer: PSW-350 ($200)
    Receiver: Yamaha RX-V496 ($250)
    Player: Sony SCD-CE595 ($125)
    Wire: Monster Cable Z1's ($50)

    Total: $875
    Polk CS245i Center
    Polk RT55i Mains
    Polk RT25i Rears
    Polk PSW-350 Sub -in storage.
    Yamaha RX-V681 A/V Reciever
    Sony SCD-CE595 SACD Player
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited April 2005
    guess i should throw mine in the mix


    Parasound PHP 850 pre = 150.00 used
    Carver 4.0t amp = 400.00 used
    Tosh (unmodded) = 70.00
    SDA-2b (with replacement tweets) 350.00+100.00 tweets = 450.00

    1070.00 total, and a fairly respectable tig for the coin i paid (not including my turntable)
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited March 2007
    I found this thread and thought it might be good to revive it @ 2 years latter.

    I currently have.

    ASL Wave 25DT's $450.00 I love the sound of the tubes. Hope to roll some soon.
    Monitor 5's Modded $225.00 I am really impressed with these little speakers
    Currently using a Roku Sound Bridge $200.00. Works pretty good. The lossless material sound pretty good.
    Wire and cables @ $25.00


    **** 800.00 for everything.

    While this is definitely not audio nirvana it has opened a whole new avenue for me and let me rediscover some of my favorite music. I am pretty happy with the sound and it is definitely a great way to get into tubes.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited March 2007
    My current system for the office is pretty good!

    NAD 720BEE receiver - $499
    NAD 521BEE CDP - $225
    EPOS ELS-3 speakers - $250

    Leaves it a little short on $ for decent IC's and speaker cables, so I guess you need to save a little more $ to upgrade to your choice!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited March 2007
    Heres a go at it:
    SDA-2 with RDO tweeters $325
    Carver CT-17 $50
    Toshiba 3950 w/mods $200
    B&K ST-202 $300
    DIY Cardas cables $100
    =$975
    Almost my current system
    Thanks to the forum, the gon, and CL
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited March 2007
    Cool thread to revive.

    I love getting great performance out of budget components.

    I've been considering building a budget system around my RT25i's, this just might be the motivation I needed.
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited March 2007
    My bedroom ref:
    Eico ST-70 integrated tube amp - $300 (used)
    Pioneer PL-550 turntable - $35 (used)
    New Shure cartridge - $70 (new)
    Adcom GDA-600 DAC - $100 (used)
    Toshiba SD-4960 DVD player - $70 (new)
    Dahlquist DQ-12 - $200 (used)
    Nakamichi CA-1 tape deck - $50 (used)
    DIY cables - $50 (new)
    total = $875.

    -fredv-
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited March 2007
    MillerLiteScott wrote:
    I found this thread and thought it might be good to revive it @ 2 years latter.

    I currently have.

    ASL Wave 25DT's $450.00 I love the sound of the tubes. Hope to roll some soon.
    Monitor 5's Modded $225.00 I am really impressed with these little speakers
    Currently using a Roku Sound Bridge $200.00. Works pretty good. The lossless material sound pretty good.
    Wire and cables @ $25.00


    **** 800.00 for everything.

    While this is definitely not audio nirvana it has opened a whole new avenue for me and let me rediscover some of my favorite music. I am pretty happy with the sound and it is definitely a great way to get into tubes.

    Picked up a Yamaha CDC-765 5 disc CD player toady from my brother in trade for about 45 minutes worth of caulking. Turns out it has a variable output level with a control on the remote so I plugged it right into the back of my mono blocks and it sounds pretty good.

    That puts me at **** 600.00 right now.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2007
    Two years later and MY cheap system is still waiting for me to make the speaker cabs. Sad...
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited March 2007
    here's one I have been meaning to put together, since I allready own almost all the stuff


    Dodd ELP preamp (300.00....what I paid)
    Anthem Amp 1 (modded) paid Russ 400 ish
    Rogers LS-6 monitors (paid 200.00, awesome speaks for the $)

    thats 900, but without a source. might do an oppo for sacd or something
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited March 2007
    MillerLiteScott wrote:
    Picked up a Yamaha CDC-765 5 disc CD player toady from my brother in trade for about 45 minutes worth of caulking. Turns out it has a variable output level with a control on the remote so I plugged it right into the back of my mono blocks and it sounds pretty good.

    That puts me at **** 600.00 right now.

    Now with the Nakamichi CA-5 I have @ $875.00 in to this rig and I am telling you that I can not believe how good it sounds, considering what I am out of pocket.

    I have Mark to thank for this. I got into this mess with a HT in my sites but I am telling you 2 channel is where it is at.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited March 2007
    Is this a "brag about your great deals" thread or a "if you were a noob with $1K, what would you look to buy at current street prices to be your reference system?"

    For everyday realistic street prices:
    Integrated amp (closeout Onix or something): $400
    Sony SACD-ES Player: $200
    Used LSi7s: $250
    Sub: whatever you can find used $150

    For a third option, just look at my 2-channel rig sig. . . it cost well under $1K to assemble.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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